Adolescent School Belonging and Substance Use in Young Adulthood: Findings from a Multi-wave Prospective Cohort Study

KA Allen; CJ Greenwood; E Berger; A Reupert; G Wurf; N Rajendran; W Warton; M O’Connor; A Sanson; CA Olsson; P Letcher

Journal article

Adolescent School Belonging and Substance Use in Young Adulthood: Findings from a Multi-wave Prospective Cohort Study

KA Allen, CJ Greenwood, E Berger, A Reupert, G Wurf, N Rajendran, W Warton, M O’Connor, A Sanson, CA Olsson, P Letcher

International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction | SPRINGER | Published : 2026

DOI: 10.1007/s11469-024-01427-5

Abstract

This study explored the longitudinal associations between multiple dimensions of school belonging during adolescence and substance use in young adulthood. Data were leveraged from the Australian Temperament Project, a comprehensive, multi-wave prospective cohort study. The current sample comprised 1565 participants (804 women). School belonging (1 wave; ages 15–16 years) was assessed using a condensed version of the School Life Questionnaire. Young adult substance use (3 waves; ages 19–28 years) assessments included binge drinking, tobacco, cannabis, and other illicit substances. Higher levels of overall school belonging were associated with reduced odds of tobacco, cannabis, and other illic..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Kelly-Ann Allen Author

Ann Sanson Author

Meredith O'Connor Author

Related Projects (1)

PRECONCEPTION PREDICTORS OF EARLY CHILDHOOD SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT: A 30-YEAR LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF GRANDPARENTS, PARENTS AND CHILDREN

There is increasing recognition of the importance of preconception pathways in shaping the family environments that parents provide for thei..

Grants

Awarded by Australian Research Council

Funding Acknowledgements

We acknowledge all collaborators who have contributed to the Australian Temperament Project, especially Profs Margot Prior and Frank Oberklaid, and Dr Diana Smart. We would also like to sincerely thank the participating families for their time and invaluable contribution to the study.